Women architects debate on changes needed in architecture

The University of Sydney in collaboration with Parlour Inc will host a panel of four powerhouse women architects for a robust debate on changes needed in architecture to create a more equitable and sustainable profession in the future.

“The architecture industry finds itself beleaguered in the current market – disempowered, marginalised, and subject to pressures that make it difficult for architects to stay afloat,” says Dr Naomi Stead, Parlour co-founder. “In this context, gender equity might seem like a minor concern. But we would argue the opposite. Making sure you have the best and brightest people in your workforce, fulfilling their full potential, is absolutely central to the sustainability and viability of the profession. More than this, a more diverse concept of who can be an architect and how they might practise is also key – demographic diversity is linked to diverse ways of practising, and that is crucial in the present, highly-stressed environment.”

All architecture graduates of the University of Sydney, the panel of speakers collectively has extensive experience working for large Australian and international architects, infrastructure companies and running their own practices over the last three decades.

The panel will speculate on different roles women might play moving towards a more equitable and robust profession. If the survival of the profession long-term depends on diversity, how might this be reflected in architecture’s demographics, ways of working, and modes of practice? How should a practice be redesigned to support diversity? How does gender equity expand the definition of architectural practice and engagement, and what does this offer the discipline and community? These are just a few of the questions that the panel will tackle.

The panel is presented by the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning Alumni Association and coincides with Parlour’s current exhibition Portraits of Practice on display in Tin Sheds Gallery at the University of Sydney.

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